10 Steps to Wrap the Custom Olive Branch

The olive branch thread wrapping technique is a popular way to dress up thread wraps on your custom fishing rod.

Not only is the olive branch relatively easy to wrap, it’s a thread wrap that looks just fancy enough to take a rod a step further without adding any significant time to your build. into custom category. Of course performance is always a huge deal, but many rod builders and customers alike are also interested in a rod that’s unique and eye-catching.

Originally developed by Jim Trelikes, the olive branch truly adds the perfect custom pop to any thread wrap. From guide wraps and trim bands, to decal accents and other decorations, all thread work can benefit from a well place olive branch.

Learn how to wrap the olive branch with the following 10 steps and watch the video tutorial at the bottom

1. Choose Primary and Accent Thread Colors

Popular options often match darker colored threads with lighter accent colors or vice versa. Metallic Thread is also a great choice to get the extra pop on contrast from olive branches.

Considering how many colors and styles of thread are available in ProWrap Thread, the only limits for your olive branch wrap is your own imagination.

2. Place Rod Blank in HWS-1 Hand Wrapper

Next, position your rod blank in the HWS-1 Hand Wrapper with the section you intend to wrap aligned in the middle of the wrapper.

The HWS-1 uses an orange tension rod to maintain the thread wrap as you go, but make sure it is either pointed at your chest or at the rod blank.

If the tension rod is pointing towards the ceiling, your wrap will be too loose. On the other hand, if the tension rod is pointing down too far, the wrap will be too tight and risk damaging the surface of the rod blank.

6. Twist the Accent Thread Around the Running Thread

With the accent thread locked in place, you can begin twisting it around the running thread as you wrap it.

By winding the accent thread over and back underneath the running thread, you will create the olive branch design.

7. Space Each Branch to Your Liking

Continue wrapping the accent thread around the running thread in this pattern, but make sure to equally space out each twist for the better finished product.

8. Lock Down Accent Thread

Once you have the olive branch complete, burnish the thread to remove gaps and lock down the accent thread with 4-5 wraps of the running thread.

Then, trim off the second tag end of the accent thread flush with the thread wrap.

9. Finish Off the Thread Wrap

End the thread wrap by sliding a loop under the running thread—locking it down with 4-5 more wraps of the running thread—and then while maintaining tension, slip that running thread up through the loop and use the loop to pull the running thread back underneath the wrap to lock it in place.

TIP:For beginners, use a different color thread for the loop to keep from getting confused.

10. Trim Final Tag and Add Epoxy Finish

Just trim off the final tag end and you’re ready to add epoxy finish!

Check out the video tutorial below to see all of the olive branch steps in action…